[ExI] agency-based personal identity

[gts]

On Wed, 27 Jun 2007 15:59:24 -0400, Jef Allbright <jef at jefallbright.net>  
wrote:

> On 6/27/07, Thomas <thomas at thomasoliver.net> wrote:
>
>> I think of will as agency.
>
> Consider a newborn infant.  It functions on its own behalf, at least
> enough to find and suck on a nipple, but it yet lacks a model of
> itself as a self.
>
> Is there agency?

We don't know if it lacks a model of itself as self. But even assuming it  
does not, there is both will and agency.

The newborn wills to suck a nipple, and does so, acting as the agent of  
its own will.

Is it developed enough to be conscious of itself and its actions in an  
abstract way? Does it think, "Here I go again, sucking on a nipple  
according to my will, just like I did yesterday"? Probably not, but that  
is beside the point.

-gts